free play in drive shaft

[Conflict]

2001 2WD manual has about .75" rotational movement measured on the circular flange where the drive shaft bolts to the differential; wheels chocked in neutral. No play in U joints. What's it supposed to be? When shifting gears I have to let off the clutch really slowly if I don't want to feel a jerk. Doesn't seem like it was always this way. What do I need to check and how? Changed rear diff fluid about a year ago and found very little grit.

 

[franklin2]

3/4 of an inch turn sounds normal to me with a older vehicle. Do you have a high idle speed or something else causing the clunk?

 

[Conflict]

Well my idle is around 900 but between shifts, its up around 1500-2000 but I clutch around 2500 and I figured the computer wants to keep it up there to better match the driveshaft speed when I re-engage. It is annoying when coasting down a long hill that it doesn't go down to 900. So I guess that's a second question. Should it be dropping all the way down between shifts and if so what could keep that from happening. But back on the first question, an older vehicle would have added play due to worn diff gears or trans gears or both? Could a clutch issue cause slop?

 

[franklin2]

There is wear in every piece back there. As it gets more miles on it, the play will add up. A little here a little there.

I think the high idle between shifts is causing the problem. If you think about it, you rev the engine up in a lower numbered gear, and then when you shift the engine is going to turn slower with the next higher numbered gear. If the engine rpms are up, when you let out on the clutch it is going to slam.

I would investigate the rpm/idle issue. Has the idle air control valve and the throttle blade ever been cleaned? Has the idle stop screw ever been tweaked? If so, it all may need to be cleaned and the idle screw may need to be reset.